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2011 Offensive Line Rankings

Offensive line play heavily influences fantasy production. A dominant run-blocking line can turn an undrafted free agent into a 1,600-yard rusher, or help resurrect a declining back's career. A unit that can't pass protect may get its quarterback hurt and ruin a team's season.

Taking stats, scheme, experience, and depth into consideration, I've ranked the NFL's offensive lines in order from 1-32. Keep in mind that in-season injuries are an unpredictable but often difference-making variable. Experienced and/or promising depth behind a first-team front five can be crucial.

* = new starter. + = switching position. Number of returning starters is in parentheses.

Houston returns all five starters from a line that paved the way for NFL rushing leader Arian Foster and allowed just two sacks a game. Gary Kubiak is keeping competition alive by listing undrafted rookie Darius Morris at first-team right guard, a position that should be won back by Brisiel before the season. This unit has zero Pro Bowls to its credit, but executes zone blocking to perfection and holds its own in protection. Top reserves are athletic swing tackle Rashad Butler (four starts last season), G/C Antoine Caldwell (10 career starts), and G Kasey Studdard (14 starts in 2009).

Elite starters and elite depth. The Pats are so talent-laden in the front five that No. 17 pick Nate Solder will ride the bench as a rookie. Mankins is the best guard in the game, and Vollmer may possess more impressive athleticism than any right tackle in the NFL. Koppen is a stalwart, having missed one start since the 2005 season. Among backups, swing tackle Mark LeVoir, C Ryan Wendell, and G/C Chris Morris have started before. Fifth-round pick Marcus Cannon, a first-round talent, could be a real difference maker if he cracks the lineup after beating lymphoma.

Don't laugh. The Panthers went 2-14 last season, but they'll be much better this year and line play has a lot to do with it. Gross and Kalil return from Pro Bowl berths, and Wharton is an elite left guard in protection when healthy. A mammoth run blocker, Otah is the big addition after a season lost to injury. Bernadeau, the question mark, was shuttled between guard spots last year and briefly lost his job, but the Panthers could switch to mauling, 25-year-old "backup" Geoff Schwartz (19 career starts) and probably upgrade the position. G/T Garry Williams (11 starts) is another experienced reserve. Seventh-round value Lee Ziemba fits Carolina's nasty mentality up front.

The Jets have fielded the best line in football over the past two seasons. The reason they're not in the top spot this year is the retirement of Damien Woody and downgrade to Hunter, who's been in the league eight years but made just four career starts. Hunter was the line's weak link down the stretch last season, so the Jets may have to turn to enigmatic former second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse sooner than they'd prefer. Right tackle is a critical position for such a run-heavy team. The rest of the front five is elite, but New York's depth is near-nonexistent. Behind the first string, only Undertaker-lookalike Robert Turner has ever started a game. And Turner's done it just twice.

The lone starter lost is Daryn Colledge, who was overpaid by Arizona. Green Bay has penciled in first-round pick Sherrod as Colledge's replacement, though the college left tackle is experiencing growing pains early in camp. Still, this is one of the NFL's most talented lines on the right side with Sitton as an All-Pro caliber strong-side guard and Bulaga likely to make strides in his second year. The top subs include potential left tackle of the future Marshall Newhouse and versatile T.J. Lang.

Free agency stole away road-grading right guard Harvey Dahl, but GM Tom Dimitroff did well to retain Blalock and Clabo, keeping the unit mostly intact. This line will be relied on for protection more than ever with Atlanta's offensive philosophy gravitating to the pass. Reynolds has never started a game, but has a nasty reputation, goes a legit 6-foot-8, 317, and has been taught how to bend. The reserves are short on experience, but long on promise. Joe Hawley is the heir apparent at center, and Mike Johnson is a game-ready fallback option if Reynolds flops. Swing tackle Will Svitek has the most career starts of the reserves (six). He's also a tight end in jumbo packages.

It's no secret that the Saints field the NFL's best guard duo; both Nicks and Evans were voted top-100 players by their peers in NFL Network's offseason poll. Kreutz's performance is declining, but he'll look plenty good between the two. While the tackles are shaky, Drew Brees' consistent ability to get rid of the football quickly covers up many of Bushrod's flaws. At age 32, Stinchcomb's knee problems are becoming a worry. He's been missing practice time of late. Depth remains a plus with swing tackle Zach Strief (seven career starts) and former second-round pick Charles Brown available in case of emergency. Backup center Matt Tennant will probably replace Kreutz in 2012.

The Eagles have discarded continuity in favor of talent and scheme change. New position coach Howard Mudd wants long, lean, athletic linemen, and at least four of the above fit the bill. Jackson is on notice after missing 16 games over the past two seasons, being pushed hard by fast-moving rookie Jason Kelce. As for other four, Peters is back playing at an elite level and Herremans is over his foot problems. Harris certainly possesses starting-caliber talent, and Watkins was the most pro-ready lineman in the draft. Experienced depth is not a concern with G/C Mike McGlynn, OTs Winston Justice and King Dunlap, and new OG Evan Mathis combining for 71 career starts.

The Giants' offense will return to a run-to-setup-deep shots approach, which plays to its members' strengths. (Eli Manning shouldn't be throwing 530 times a year.) While a lot of shuffling took place in the front five, this remains a unit rich on talent. Beatty is a finesse tackle with elite upside as a pass protector. Diehl is best suited to guard at this stage, and Baas was a big addition inside. Snee is still just 28, and McKenzie, 32, remains a dominant run blocker when healthy. There is no shortage of depth with OG Mitch Petrus, and OTs Kevin Boothe and James Brewer in the fold.

The Bucs have depth and youth on their side; no starter is over 30. OT James Lee and super sub Jeremy Zuttah have 39 starts between them, with Zuttah having seen action at center, guard, and tackle. Re-signing Joseph was Tampa's top free agency priority, though he's more projection than sure thing. The team is banking on new OL coach Pat Morris' power-run scheme to kick start the $53-million guard. Opinions around the NFL are mixed on Penn, and Trueblood hasn't played well since his rookie season. Still, this unit is above average at worst with lots of room for growth.

Offensive line play heavily influences fantasy production. A dominant run-blocking line can turn an undrafted free agent into a 1,600-yard rusher, or help resurrect a declining back's career. A unit that can't pass protect may get its quarterback hurt and ruin a team's season.

Taking stats, scheme, experience, and depth into consideration, I've ranked the NFL's offensive lines in order from 1-32. Keep in mind that in-season injuries are an unpredictable but often difference-making variable. Experienced and/or promising depth behind a first-team front five can be crucial.

* = new starter. + = switching position. Number of returning starters is in parentheses.

Houston returns all five starters from a line that paved the way for NFL rushing leader Arian Foster and allowed just two sacks a game. Gary Kubiak is keeping competition alive by listing undrafted rookie Darius Morris at first-team right guard, a position that should be won back by Brisiel before the season. This unit has zero Pro Bowls to its credit, but executes zone blocking to perfection and holds its own in protection. Top reserves are athletic swing tackle Rashad Butler (four starts last season), G/C Antoine Caldwell (10 career starts), and G Kasey Studdard (14 starts in 2009).

Elite starters and elite depth. The Pats are so talent-laden in the front five that No. 17 pick Nate Solder will ride the bench as a rookie. Mankins is the best guard in the game, and Vollmer may possess more impressive athleticism than any right tackle in the NFL. Koppen is a stalwart, having missed one start since the 2005 season. Among backups, swing tackle Mark LeVoir, C Ryan Wendell, and G/C Chris Morris have started before. Fifth-round pick Marcus Cannon, a first-round talent, could be a real difference maker if he cracks the lineup after beating lymphoma.

Don't laugh. The Panthers went 2-14 last season, but they'll be much better this year and line play has a lot to do with it. Gross and Kalil return from Pro Bowl berths, and Wharton is an elite left guard in protection when healthy. A mammoth run blocker, Otah is the big addition after a season lost to injury. Bernadeau, the question mark, was shuttled between guard spots last year and briefly lost his job, but the Panthers could switch to mauling, 25-year-old "backup" Geoff Schwartz (19 career starts) and probably upgrade the position. G/T Garry Williams (11 starts) is another experienced reserve. Seventh-round value Lee Ziemba fits Carolina's nasty mentality up front.

The Jets have fielded the best line in football over the past two seasons. The reason they're not in the top spot this year is the retirement of Damien Woody and downgrade to Hunter, who's been in the league eight years but made just four career starts. Hunter was the line's weak link down the stretch last season, so the Jets may have to turn to enigmatic former second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse sooner than they'd prefer. Right tackle is a critical position for such a run-heavy team. The rest of the front five is elite, but New York's depth is near-nonexistent. Behind the first string, only Undertaker-lookalike Robert Turner has ever started a game. And Turner's done it just twice.

The lone starter lost is Daryn Colledge, who was overpaid by Arizona. Green Bay has penciled in first-round pick Sherrod as Colledge's replacement, though the college left tackle is experiencing growing pains early in camp. Still, this is one of the NFL's most talented lines on the right side with Sitton as an All-Pro caliber strong-side guard and Bulaga likely to make strides in his second year. The top subs include potential left tackle of the future Marshall Newhouse and versatile T.J. Lang.

Free agency stole away road-grading right guard Harvey Dahl, but GM Tom Dimitroff did well to retain Blalock and Clabo, keeping the unit mostly intact. This line will be relied on for protection more than ever with Atlanta's offensive philosophy gravitating to the pass. Reynolds has never started a game, but has a nasty reputation, goes a legit 6-foot-8, 317, and has been taught how to bend. The reserves are short on experience, but long on promise. Joe Hawley is the heir apparent at center, and Mike Johnson is a game-ready fallback option if Reynolds flops. Swing tackle Will Svitek has the most career starts of the reserves (six). He's also a tight end in jumbo packages.

It's no secret that the Saints field the NFL's best guard duo; both Nicks and Evans were voted top-100 players by their peers in NFL Network's offseason poll. Kreutz's performance is declining, but he'll look plenty good between the two. While the tackles are shaky, Drew Brees' consistent ability to get rid of the football quickly covers up many of Bushrod's flaws. At age 32, Stinchcomb's knee problems are becoming a worry. He's been missing practice time of late. Depth remains a plus with swing tackle Zach Strief (seven career starts) and former second-round pick Charles Brown available in case of emergency. Backup center Matt Tennant will probably replace Kreutz in 2012.

The Eagles have discarded continuity in favor of talent and scheme change. New position coach Howard Mudd wants long, lean, athletic linemen, and at least four of the above fit the bill. Jackson is on notice after missing 16 games over the past two seasons, being pushed hard by fast-moving rookie Jason Kelce. As for other four, Peters is back playing at an elite level and Herremans is over his foot problems. Harris certainly possesses starting-caliber talent, and Watkins was the most pro-ready lineman in the draft. Experienced depth is not a concern with G/C Mike McGlynn, OTs Winston Justice and King Dunlap, and new OG Evan Mathis combining for 71 career starts.

The Giants' offense will return to a run-to-setup-deep shots approach, which plays to its members' strengths. (Eli Manning shouldn't be throwing 530 times a year.) While a lot of shuffling took place in the front five, this remains a unit rich on talent. Beatty is a finesse tackle with elite upside as a pass protector. Diehl is best suited to guard at this stage, and Baas was a big addition inside. Snee is still just 28, and McKenzie, 32, remains a dominant run blocker when healthy. There is no shortage of depth with OG Mitch Petrus, and OTs Kevin Boothe and James Brewer in the fold.

The Bucs have depth and youth on their side; no starter is over 30. OT James Lee and super sub Jeremy Zuttah have 39 starts between them, with Zuttah having seen action at center, guard, and tackle. Re-signing Joseph was Tampa's top free agency priority, though he's more projection than sure thing. The team is banking on new OL coach Pat Morris' power-run scheme to kick start the $53-million guard. Opinions around the NFL are mixed on Penn, and Trueblood hasn't played well since his rookie season. Still, this unit is above average at worst with lots of room for growth.

Thursday's acquisition of Jared Gaither was a high-upside, low-rent move. Still just 25 years old, Jonathan Ogden's onetime heir apparent in Baltimore could emerge as an in-season starter if healthy. Richardson is the group's weak link and would-be odd man out. New starter Asamoah replaces Brian Waters and projects as an instant impact run blocker. Though Albert has struggled with consistency, he dominates on the ground and is only 26. The primary backups are Gaither, second-round G/C Rodney Hudson, and right tackle-only Ryan O'Callaghan (20 career starts).

Talent is not an issue along Baltimore's front five, but the team is rolling the dice that Oher makes major strides in his second year at left tackle. GM Ozzie Newsome never pursued an upgrade at the position. Instead, right tackle was opened to competition with Yanda kicking back inside to his natural guard position. Early returns in Thursday night's preseason opener were unfavorable for Mike Mayock favorite Reid. If Oher steps up, this can still be an effective all-around offensive line, but keep an eye on right tackle, as well as Birk's health. The 35-year-old pivot is questionable for Week 1 with knee trouble. Depth is suspect with Cousins and ex-defensive lineman Bryan Mattison as top reserves.

We love this line from a protection standpoint. The No. 10 pick in the draft, Smith projects as an immediate and significant upgrade on Marc Colombo. The decision to kick Kosier from left to right guard makes sense, as the 10-year vet will assist the rookie's transition. Free is as reliable as they come on Tony Romo's blind side, and playing between Free and Gurode bodes well for the rookie Arkin, as well. Dallas is geared up for a pass-first offense this year. They'd just better avoid injuries. Top sub Montrae Holland reported to camp fat, and swing tackle Sam Young has no career starts.

Jacksonville lost arguably its best run blocker when it was forced to release overweight LG Vince Manuwai, and Spitz is hardly an adequate replacement. The Jags need big leaps from third-year tackles Monroe and Britton, both of whom have struggled with consistency but offer plenty of talent. At age 34, Meester is still going strong and should have another solid year left in him. Nwaneri is a liability, but will be pushed quickly by third-round rookie Will Rackley. Overall, this is an O-Line with nastiness and a promising amount of ability. The Jaguars will continue to go run-heavy this season.

Long is arguably the game's premier tackle, but he can't carry an O-Line by himself. Incognito is historically unreliable, and the Fins can expect a dramatic drop-off in pass protection going from Carey to Colombo on the right side. Pouncey projects as solid, but was a reach with the 16th pick in the draft. While Long keeps the unit afloat, there are major question marks throughout the rest of the front five. The Dolphins could eventually get help from unheralded swingman Nate Garner, who can play guard and right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, Garner was highly effective in protection and held his own on the ground in eight 2009 starts. He missed 2010 with a foot injury.

A young unit on the rise. No member of St. Louis' first-team line is over 30, and their average age is 27.2 with most of the experience on the interior. Saffold is still just 23. Dahl was a huge addition, upgrading on journeyman Adam Goldberg and bringing physicality to a group that is relatively soft otherwise. Bringing back Bell, an excellent pass-protecting guard, at a reduced rate was another plus for quarterback Sam Bradford. Smith hasn't met expectations, but the Rams aren't giving up on the former No. 2 overall pick. Versatile G/T Goldberg (58 career starts) returns as the top backup.

Biggest beneficiary:Sam Bradford. The unit was built with him in mind.

The Titans return the same front five that collapsed last year, nearly every member having a career-worst season. Mike Munchak, promoted from offensive line to head coach, has faith that continuity will do the trick. Harris was particularly bad in 2010, but was brought back on a two-year deal. It's really a roll of the dice in Tennessee. If the unit performs at last year's levels, running back Chris Johnson will continue to struggle for lanes. If it recaptures its 2009 dominance, "C.J." will explode.

We'd feel better about this offensive line if McNeill wasn't coming off his second knee surgery in the last six months; top backup Brandyn Dombrowski presents a major drop-off. The Chargers have opened Vasquez's job to competition, and they've long been much too high on underachieving Clary. Quarterback Philip Rivers' quick release and aggressiveness cover up flaws, but there isn't an elite member without McNeill at 100 percent. While Dielman's pass protection has declined, he remains an impact run blocker. In San Diego, power runs will remain an offensive staple this year.

Biggest beneficiary:Mike Tolbert. Don't be surprised if he leads the team in touches.

Talent is not a problem for this group. The 49ers start four former top-40 draft picks in the front five and have added a 2009 Pro Bowler in Goodwin. Iupati looks like a future All-Pro, but fellow 2010 first-rounder Davis labored through a miserable first season. Along with Iupati, Rachal gives the Niners a Saints-like guard duo if they can maximize their ability and play with more consistency. The 49ers' offensive line has potential to move quickly up the rankings, but their "floor" is also low.

Biggest beneficiary:Frank Gore. Iupati and Rachal can open massive holes.

After re-signing Brown to a five-year, $27.5 million contract, the Redskins wasted no time settling on a first-team line. Cohesion is crucial for the Shanahans' zone-blocking system, and they added a key piece in Chester, who was miscast as a power blocker in Baltimore. An athletic former college tight end, Chester can get up field efficiently and should flourish under old Ravens position coach Chris Foerster. Washington's lines have been dreadful for several seasons, but the arrow is pointing up on this one. Especially promising was the fact that Williams reported to camp in tip-top shape.

Biggest beneficiary:Tim Hightower. The zone-blocking scheme is in full effect.

We know the Browns have two good linemen in Thomas and Mack. Long overrated, Steinbach is their worst starter at this point. The fact that the right side is a big mystery is unsettling for a team that will have to lean heavily on the run to get first downs. Pashos was atrocious in protection before suffering a year-ending ankle injury last October, and Lauvao is a total projection as an undersized college left tackle who hardly played last season. Expect a passing offense reliant on short throws.

The Bengals' best linemen happen to be their oldest. Williams turns 35 early in the season, and they're asking a lot that he stays healthy with Eagles castoff Max Jean-Gilles as the top interior reserve. Whitworth remains steady on the blind side, but Smith has recurring foot problems and a history of untimely weight gains. The former No. 6 pick is in a make-or-break year. This line is good enough to get by, but not the strength it once was. A rookie quarterback is sure to expose all leaks.

The Broncos have youth on the line and a Pro Bowl left tackle, but we question whether the three other returning starters fit the new philosophy. Kuper was a Mike Shanahan pick; Beadles and Walton were selected by Josh McDaniels. The Broncos let right tackle Ryan Harris walk in free agency because they want to be more physical up front. Beadles, Walton, and Kuper are all undersized. Denver is in a rebuild phase, so look for one or two of them to move on in the near future. This year, the line will have to adjust to a brand-new system and run-heavy mentality it wasn't assembled for.

Biggest beneficiary:Tim Tebow. We guarantee he'll make starts for a rebuilding team.

The Steelers place less of an emphasis on the line than most teams because of their quarterback's escape ability. The best starters are Pouncey, a second-year player, and Colon, who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles'. It's worth noting that Pittsburgh has left the door open for free agent OT Flozell Adams to return, and he could man the right side, kicking Colon inside to guard, or perhaps replace Scott on the left. Regardless, the Steelers will stay competitive in spite of their line, not because of it. Across the league, Scott and Foster, in particular, are very low-level starters.

GM John Schneider had the right idea; rip the line to shreds and start over. But early returns aren't promising. Okung is already out with a high left ankle sprain, the same injury that all but ruined his rookie season. Carpenter, converting from college left tackle to NFL right tackle, has looked lost in pass protection so far. Gallery is a strong run blocker when healthy, but hasn't been since 2008. This group should be in better shape by 2012. It will be among the league's poorest this season.

Biggest beneficiary: No one. Seattle's offense will struggle all around.

The Colts finally took upgrading their offensive line seriously this spring, using first- and second-round picks on Castonzo and right tackle of the future Ben Ijalana. But they'll put their faith in Peyton Manning's smarts until Ijalana cracks the lineup and Castonzo settles in. Pollak and Diem form one of the NFL's worst right sides, and McClendon has played six career snaps. Indianapolis' offensive line ineffectiveness has especially shown up in their run game struggles over the past several seasons. It's simply not a good group, and probably won't be for another year or two.

Biggest beneficiary:Joseph Addai. His blitz-pickup skills will come in handy.

The Bears don't crack the bottom five only because OL coach Mike Tice usually has magic up his sleeve. On paper, this is a scary-looking unit. Webb will be counted on to protect Jay Cutler's blind side after struggling at the less-critical right tackle position as a rookie. A team with good linemen would've given up on first-round bust Williams awhile ago, and Louis lasted just four starts into last season before Tice benched him. The most reliable member is Garza, and the career guard is now playing out of position. It would appear this line has gotten no better since last year. At least C Chris Spencer (70 career starts) and swing tackle Frank Omiyale (29) provide alternatives.

You see five returning starters and think continuity, but that hasn't been the case. Backus has missed all of camp with a partially torn pectoral muscle that the Lions hope won't require surgery. Cherilus has practiced sparingly coming off a scary microfracture surgery on his right knee. From Peterman at right guard to Backus at left tackle, the O-Line averages over 30 1/2 years of age. For Matthew Stafford's sake, we would like to have seen Detroit attack the line more aggressively this offseason. Especially with Mikel Leshoure out, the offense projects as exceptionally pass heavy.

This may be the most in-flux line in the NFL. Veldheer and Carlisle are the only members sure to start on Opening Day, with Loper, Wisniewski, and Barnes all trying to hold off the likes of Bruce Campbell, Samson Satele, and Joseph Barksdale. Among left tackles around the league last year, only Michael Oher was penalized more than Veldheer after his odd conversion from center. We'd rank Oakland lower if not for Hue Jackson's offensive brilliance and a small talent edge on Buffalo, Arizona, and Minnesota. In terms of philosophy, the Raiders will use a power run game this year.

You can make a strong argument that this is the least talented line in football, but Chan Gailey's creative scheming keeps it from getting his quarterback killed. The entire right side is comprised of other teams' castoffs, and undersized Levitre is a big run-blocking liability. The Bills seem to think the world of Bell, but he's one of the worst left tackles in the NFL. Expect a carousel of starters at the positions currently manned by Urbik and Wrotto, and lots of quick outs from a noodle-armed quarterback. It's no surprise that deep threat Lee Evans is on the outs; they can't get him the ball.

It's nice to return four starters on the offensive line in theory. Except when they all stink. Lutui is weighing in around 380 pounds and may cede his job to Rex Hadnot. Brown was the worst offensive tackle in the game last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Colledge wasn't worth the money the Cardinals gave him as an odd system fit, and Keith is another player in danger of losing his spot (to journeyman Jeremy Bridges). We've heard a lot of hype about Arizona's offseason, but their O-Line has an awfully poor look to it. The offense is begging for a legitimate running game to emerge.

This offensive line was a liability last season, and it's gotten much worse. Right guard Anthony Herrera (ACL, triceps surgeries) is likely headed for PUP to open the season, but he's not the Vikings' biggest loss. That honor goes to left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who gained so much unhealthy weight during the lockout that Minnesota had to release him a few days into camp. Johnson has been getting eaten alive by Jared Allen and Everson Griffen so far in August, and is better suited to guard. Hutchinson's performance has declined so rapidly that there were rumors he'd be cut in the offseason. Sullivan is replacement-level at best and DeGeare is a total projection. Adrian Peterson will be running behind the worst offensive line of his career this season.